Loving Kitchen Color

Go on! Use a Favorite Color

It's not unusual to show off a favorite hue in the living room, but for some reason, kitchens rarely get that special treatment. Deepthi Brown, however, wasn't about to do a neutral or white cook space in her light-filled Los Angeles home. For her it was bright green or bust! Designed by: Michele Trout and Heidi Bonesteel, Bonesteel Trout Hall, Los Angeles, 310-454-8762, bonesteeltrouthall.com

Bold Backsplash

"My backsplash isn't at all bashful," says Deepthi. For the tile, she considered dozens of styles and shades of green but landed on Vibe-Ashbury in key lime by Walker Zanger. She describes the color as "paddy field green," a fresh, grassy hue that reminds her of the rice fields in her native India. "We love the curved shape of the tiles because they match the Mediterranean style of the house," she says. Vibe-Ashbury Mosaic in key lime, $21 per square foot, walkerzanger.com for stores.

Happy Balance

"Okay, all green would have been too much," says Deepthi. As a concession to her husband, Patrick, whose style is more traditional and less colorful than Deepthi's, Designers Heidi Bonesteel and Michele Trout calmed down the kicky palette with two tones of natural wood: light oak cabinets, and a dark walnut countertop on the island. The floor tiles, in terra-cotta, were another compromise.

Practical, Stylish Cooking Space

The double ovens and eight gas burners are great for preparing multiple dishes at once. "The stove used to be in the island, which didn't make sense because it caused traffic jams, and I thought cooking smells lingered forever," says Deepthi. Now the range has plenty of space surrounding it, plus an odor-eliminating, eye-catching zinc hood.

Dishes on Display

"Glass-front cabinets mean I put a lot of pretty pieces on display," says Deepthi. Not only are the doors clear glass, but the shelves are, too (they're held in place with shallow wood ledges). All that glass gives the oak cabinets an airy feel, almost like the contents are floating. Deepthi arranges her dishes in tidy stacks and rows.

Bright Idea

"These pendants were a pleasant surprise, says Deepthi. "I love turning these on while everything else is off at night," says Deepthi. "They have the best soft, warm glow, almost like candlelight." Made of weathered zinc, the generously sized pendant lamps (32 inches by 20 inches) over the island add a rustic touch to the new room. For a similar look: Uttermost Albiano 1-light pendant, $216, lampsplus.com.

Countertop Rule

There's no getting around it: The Calacatta Gold marble counters and black walnut wood island top require extra diligence to prevent marks and stains. And that means a single kitchen credo: No drink goes down without a coaster. "It's a simple precaution I'm willing to take to keep the counters looking beautiful," she says. The island features a dark walnut countertop with painted cabinets in Cooking Apple Green by Farrow & Ball. The Faucet: Talo single handle pull-down bar/prep faucet, $920, brizo.com for stores.

Visible Food Storage

"Everyone knows what's in my fridge, says Deepthi. The glass-front fridge by Sub-Zero makes it easy to monitor the contents. "I can always see what's in the fridge, even from across the room," Deepthi says. Word to the wise: Extra cleaning is required to banish smudges." I do have to wipe the outside with glass cleaner every couple of days," she says. The pantry lives behind closed doors to the right of the fridge.

An Inviting Hangout

The Browns start and finish most days in their happy-hued kitchen, and whenever guests come by, they gravitate there too. "It's turned out to be the most important room in our house," Deepthi says. "It's peaceful and welcoming all at once."

There are many different ways you can go when working with orange paint colors for kitchens. From bright citrus-inspired hues to more earthy, terracotta tones, orange can be calm and soothing or cheerful and fun.

Orange is a warm color, making it a good option for kitchens in cooler climates. It can add warmth to a room, but it's important to choose bold shades that feel sophisticated and timeless. When using orange in your kitchen, try to keep the space as minimalist as possible. In a cluttered kitchen, this vibrant shade won't shine.

Citrus orange is a good option for a kitchen because it's fun and energizing, but if you decide to go this route, make sure to temper a potentially strong hue with neutral accents. The key is to find orange colors that have some yellow or brown in them to ensure they have a calming effect but don't look too light and peachy—or feel like Halloween.

If you're not ready to paint your entire kitchen orange, consider using bold pops of orange throughout the room, such as on your cabinets, backsplash or on a pantry door. You could also consider painting just your kitchen island a bright and playful orange and going neutral throughout the rest of the room.

It's also important to understand which colors orange pairs well with. Blue is opposite orange on the color wheel and both light and dark blue complement orange. Gray and white can both help to tame bold shades of orange while dark plum is a sophisticated and chic accent. If you have dark wood in your kitchen, a bright orange paint color would complement the wood tones nicely and create a warm and cozy effect. If you prefer an earthy vibe, consider using a terracotta or burnt shade of orange. A calming color, it looks great with dark wood and would add an elegant vibe to your room.

Painting with orange is the easiest and most inexpensive way to play around with this uplifting shade. It's also the smartest way to incorporate this color if you think you might want to sell your home in the future. By choosing more neutral cabinets and appliances, you can have fun with your walls and it'll be easy to repaint when you're ready to switch things up.

Some good shades of orange for kitchens include Sweet Orange by Benjamin Moore, Sunbaked Orange by Glidden, Montana Dust by Kelly-Moore and Cayenne by Sherwin-Williams, but try painting a few different shades of orange on your wall to find the best color for your space.

Energize your small kitchen with a coat of fresh paint to the walls and cabinets, and consider soft neutrals or bold color combinations that will make your space seem larger and reflect your design style.